Bees require water for survival, but their need extends beyond simple hydration. A honey bee colony functions as a complex entity, managing water as a resource at the group level to ensure the colony’s health and development. The demand for water can spike dramatically depending on external temperature and the hive’s internal needs, such as feeding the young. Understanding how bees utilize this resource reveals the intricate organization of the hive. Providing a safe, accessible water source is one of the most direct ways people can support local bee populations.
The Essential Role of Water in the Hive
Water is integral to the honey bee colony, serving multiple functions that maintain the hive environment and support its inhabitants. A primary use is maintaining a precise temperature for the developing young, known as the brood. The brood nest temperature must be kept within a narrow range, typically between 91 and 97 degrees Fahrenheit (33 to 36 degrees Celsius), for proper development.
To prevent overheating on hot days, worker bees use evaporative cooling, which acts as the colony’s air conditioning system. Forager bees collect water and spread small droplets over the honeycomb cells or the sealed brood. Other bees then fan their wings, creating air currents that cause the water to evaporate, drawing heat away from the hive interior.
Beyond temperature control, water is necessary for the colony’s nutritional needs and food processing. Nurse bees require water to dilute stored honey, especially when crystallized, making it easier to consume and digest. This thinned honey is then used to produce glandular secretions, such as royal jelly, that feed the young larvae.
Water is also used to create “bee bread,” a mixture of pollen and honey fed to the growing larvae. Maintaining the right moisture level is relevant for the developing brood; research suggests humidity levels near 90% are suitable for larval survival. During periods of high demand, such as a heatwave, a strong colony can consume over a liter of water in a single day.
How Bees Locate and Transport Water
The task of collecting water falls to a specialized group of older worker bees known as water foragers. These bees are distinct from nectar or pollen foragers and may make 50 to 100 trips per day during peak demand. The colony regulates the amount of water collected by how quickly the house bees accept the water upon the forager’s return.
A water forager collects the liquid using its proboscis and stores it temporarily in its honey crop, a specialized stomach used for transport. This crop can hold around 40 milligrams of liquid, about half the weight of the unladen bee itself. Once back at the hive, the forager regurgitates the water and passes it to the younger house bees for distribution.
Bees often collect water from sources humans might consider unappealing, such as muddy puddles, wet soil, or the edges of bird baths. This preference for “dirty” water is due to its mineral content, which clean water often lacks. Bees actively seek out salts and minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium, which are necessary for physiological functions, including enzyme activity and muscle function.
The mineral content is relevant for brood rearing and overall colony health, as nectar alone may not provide all the necessary micronutrients. However, this collection behavior exposes the bees to a risk of drowning, as they must land on a surface to drink and cannot sip water while airborne. This need to land safely explains why they often cluster at the shallow edges of water sources.
Creating Safe Water Sources
Providing a safe and consistent water source is a straightforward action that supports local bee populations, especially during hot or dry weather. The primary consideration when setting up a bee watering station is ensuring the bees have solid footing to prevent drowning. Since bees cannot swim, they require reliable landing platforms to drink.
A shallow dish, plant saucer, or birdbath can be converted into a bee-friendly source by adding materials that provide landing platforms. Filling the container with items such as the following provides numerous places for bees to land safely while accessing the water:
- Small pebbles
- Stones
- Glass marbles
- Clean gravel
Alternatively, pieces of cork, moss, or a large, clean sponge can float on the surface, offering stable platforms for the bees to rest on while drinking.
The water source should be placed in a sunny, open area away from foot traffic or areas where people congregate to avoid unintended encounters. Placing the water source closer to a nearby hive reduces the distance foragers must travel, conserving energy and increasing the efficiency of water delivery to the colony.
The water should be changed regularly to prevent stagnation and the growth of mosquito larvae, but it does not need to be sterile or highly purified. Adding a tiny pinch of uniodized sea salt or mineral salt can mimic the beneficial mineral content bees seek in natural, slightly “dirty” water sources. Ensure that the water source and the surrounding area are kept completely free of pesticides or other chemical contaminants, as bees are highly susceptible to these substances.